17.2.1 Vulnerable adults

Supported Lives has adopted the Bradford Met policy for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults from Abuse (POVA), 2004, which is reproduced below.

1. Introduction

This policy provides the Supported Lives commitment to the multi-agency framework for the protection of vulnerable adults from abuse in Bradford Met. The aim of the policy is to ensure that Supported Lives works with all responsible agencies to prevent abuse where possible, and where preventative measures fail, to deal sensitively and effectively with incidents of abuse. This policy is based on and should be read in conjunction with 'No Secrets' - Guidance on developing and implementing multi-agency policies and procedures to protect vulnerable adults from abuse, (Department of Health, 2000).

2. Partner agencies

Partner agencies across Bradford Met agree to work together within this policy.

3. Principles

Agencies agree to adhere to the following guiding principles:

actively work together within an inter-agency framework based on the guidance in Section 3 of No Secrets
actively promote the empowerment and well-being of vulnerable adults through the services they provide;
act in a way which supports the rights of the individual to lead an individual life based on self determination and personal choice;
recognise people who are unable to take their own decisions and/or to protect themselves, their assets and bodily integrity;
recognise that the right of self determination can involve risk and ensure that such risk is recognised and understood by all concerned, and minimised whenever possible;
ensure that when the right to an independent lifestyle and choice is at risk the individual concerned receives appropriate help, including advice, protection and support from relevant agencies; and
ensure that the law and statutory requirements are known and used appropriately so that vulnerable adults receive the protection of the law and access to the judicial process.

4. What is abuse?

Abuse is a violation of an individual's human and civil rights by any other person or persons. Abuse may consist of a single act or repeated acts. It may be physical, verbal or psychological, it may be an act of neglect or an omission to act, or it may occur when a vulnerable person is persuaded to enter into a financial or sexual transaction to which he or she has not consented, or cannot consent. Abuse can occur in any relationship and may result in significant harm to, or exploitation of, the person subjected to it. A consensus has emerged identifying the following main different forms of abuse:

physical abuse, including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint, or inappropriate sanctions;
sexual abuse, including rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the vulnerable adult has not consented, or could not consent or was pressured into consenting;
psychological abuse, including professional emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks;
financial or material abuse, including theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with Wills, property or inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits;
neglect and acts of omission, including ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating;
discriminatory abuse, including racist, sexist, that are based on a person's disability, and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment.

Any or all of these types of abuse may be perpetrated as the result of deliberate intent, negligence or ignorance.

Neglect and poor professional practice also need to be taken into account. This may take the form of isolated incidents of poor or unsatisfactory professional practice, at one end of the spectrum, through to pervasive ill treatment or gross misconduct at the other. Repeated instances of poor care may be an indication of more serious problems and this is sometimes referred to as institutional abuse.

Abuse may occur when a vulnerable adult lives alone or with a relative; it may also occur within nursing, residential or day care settings, in hospitals, custodial situations, support services into people's own homes, and other places previously assumed safe, or in public places.

5. Which adults are vulnerable?

A broad definition of a vulnerable adult is a person 18 or over "who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be unable to take care of her or himself, or unable to protect her or himself against significant harm or exploitation." (Department of Health, 'No Secrets', Section 2).

6. Management and co-ordination of the policy

Effective inter-agency working will be achieved through the Vulnerable Adult Protection Committee. The committee membership is made up of representatives from statutory and independent agencies and service user group representation. The overall responsibilities of the committee are to determine policy, co-ordinate activity between agencies, facilitate joint training, and monitor and review progress.

7. Responsibilities of agencies

7.1 Bradford Met Social Services Social Care are responsible for the overall co-ordination of the development and implementation of the framework policy. Supported Lives is committed to working within this framework.

7.2 Supported Lives commit themselves to training programmes (where possible in conjunction with Social Services staff) for staff at management, supervisory and practitioner levels, whether working in community or institutional settings.

7.3 The agencies will offer support and supervision to their own staff who become aware of and intervene when abuse is suspected or revealed.

7.4 Each agency will nominate a senior person who will be prepared to support and advise staff within that agency and liaise between agencies where necessary.

7.5 Each agency will have in place procedures for the protection of vulnerable adults from abuse, and ensure that staff are familiar with such procedures.

7.6 Each agency will routinely collect information about the incidents of abuse reported for the purpose of monitoring and audit.

8. Responsibilities of Supported Lives

8.1 In the event of any concerns about any client of Supported Lives , then the following adult protection procedures should be followed.

8.2 If there are concerns regarding the safety of a client, or anyone connected with the client, for example that they are victims of abuse or exploitation, then the staff member must discuss their concerns with the senior member on call immediately. A decision will then be taken as whether the concerns need to be shared with the relevant POVA team. If the decision is that the concerns need to be shared with the POVA team, the senior member of staff will ensure this happens immediately. POVA New Referrals: ring 01274 434 442. If no one is available, you may need to consider (with senior manager) whether to make a referral to the Out of Hours Social Services Team, 01274 530 434.

8.3 If a Supported Lives staff member has immediate concerns regarding the safety of anyone they are working with, they should ring the police (999) and any required emergency services immediately.

8.4 If a Supported Lives staff member feels they are at risk of injury as a result of their presence in a situation, they should immediately remove themselves from the danger and then contact the police and emergency services.

8.5 Any concerns noted or action taken must be recorded as soon as practically possible and these shared with any relevant agencies.

8.6 Staff have a right to proper support and supervision in situations where they have concerns about adult abuse. Supported Lives are committed to providing adequate support and supervision in such instances.

This document was updated in March 2007

Policies and Procedures